Hundreds of riders will race across a new course to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service next weekend.
The 2019 Kurri Coalface Pedal will start and finish at the historic Richmond Vale Railway Museum as part of its fifth anniversary celebrations.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service chief executive, Richard Jones, says the organisation is pleased to see the popular charity mountain bike ride hit such a milestone.
“I am thrilled that the Kurri Coalface Pedal is taking place again in 2019,” he says.
“Every year we are blown away by the generosity of the participants, community and event sponsors who help to raise vital funds and awareness for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
“It is fantastic to see the variety of riders that get involved, from students to casual riders and corporate teams, right up to the elite.
“Overall, in the past four years the event has raised more than $80,000 for the service and we are just so incredibly grateful.
“Thank you to all of our supporters for ensuring our service is ready to respond 24/7 for those in need.”
The event launches at 7am on Sunday 7 April, with the first ride starting at 8am.
This year’s main ride – the Corporate Teams Challenge – is a 60-kilometre dash to compete for the Quarry Mining Trophy.
There will also be a Primary Schools Challenge, which involves a 10-kilometre team of two riders, and a 20-kilometre High Schools Challenge.
Other options include a 60-kilometre and 40-kilometre solo effort, as well as a family 10-kilometre ride.
The Richmond Vale Railway Museum was badly damaged in a deliberately-lit bushfire in 2017.
It reopened to the public almost six months later.
The museum hosts an Open Day on the first three Sundays of the month and will provide access to full-sized train rides, miniature train rides, a mining museum and canteen during the Kurri Coalface Pedal.
Visitors and spectators will be charged a discounted entry fee of $5 (five years and up).
All riders are not required to pay an entry fee.
The Kurri Coalface Pedal is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kurri Kurri, the Kurri Mongrels mountain bike group, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Online entries close on Monday 1 April, but single registrations are accepted on the day.
Visit recuehelicopter.com.au for more information.
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